Lost Dutchman Mine

Peralta Stone Maps - Codes - Symbols - Formulas - Page 3

These stones are detailed sections from the stone maps.

When placed together with the heart in place, the two stones appear to show a map to the mine.

The heart shaped rock separates from the map area. The map is of a different type of stone than maps 1, 2 & 3. The heart map is a very brittle, dull red colored stone. It is speculated that the stone comes from the point of interest designated at the end of the trail.

The idea for the heart appears to originate from the heart shaped appearance of Weaver's Needle as viewed from the east. This is at the center of the heart or end of the trail area.

-center of heart or end of trail area

- closed or sealed mine or near El Sombrero (Weaver's Needle).

5 Mountain Tops

Traced from Florence, Arizona Quadrangle Topo, these mountain tops seem to match the spacing of the five dots traced from the original Peralta stone maps.

No. 1 Weaver's Needle, altitude 4535 ft.

No. 2 White Mt. 6,075 ft. altitude

No. 3 Iron mountain at 6,070 ft. altitude

No. 4 Small un-named peak at approx. 2,100 ft. altitude

No. 5 Picket Post Mountain at 4,370 ft. altitude

Note: there are 18 markers on the trail.

The markers on this trail should be about the same distance between each marker. Over the years, some of the markers have been removed or destoyed. Some markers may have been added to mislead prospectors.

There are other opinions as to where the mine is and there are other interpetations of the stones. The maps were created approximately 100 years ago. Since then, magnietic north in the area has shiffed about 1 2/3 dregees.

The basis for this write-up was a hand written manuscript I found at a estate sale in San Diego, CA about 7 years ago. The purchase included the detailed manuscript you have read in this article and maps of the area. This unknown author seems to believe that the stone maps were to be interpretted by compass heading and that by laying the different angles you could reach the treasure.

Is this the way to the mine? Some of our reader's don't think so. Following are a few of the comments we have received since we first published Parts 1 & 2 of this article.

I would also like to give credit to and thank Dan Wylde Sr. for the use of his photos of the stone maps.

See comments on article by readers below.

These are some alternative explanations for some of the symbols found in Part 2 of “New Evidence Surfaces About the Location of the Lost Dutchman Mine” . Although well meaning, I think some of his details are convenient but not indicative of fact and/or history.

First, the symbol is a combination of two symbols. The most prominent is a “4” and the other part is the with a short line extending. This second part is found elsewhere on the stones. They form the “trail.” There are 18 of them. This is a simple instruction to add four more to the trail. Elsewhere on the stones is an instruction to add seven more to the trail. That’s eleven total. But in what form does the extended trail take and in what direction? There’s instructions for that also.

Pegleg also tries to equate the trail to the Florence Quadrangle Topo and makes some assumptions about the scale and placement of the trail in reference to the topo. Problem is there exists on the stones instructions to 1) add four to the trail  in a specific form and in a specific direction; 2) add seven to the trail  in a specific form and in a specific direction; 3) reverse a portion of the trail  in other words  al reves; and 4) cant a portion of the trail. The first half of his layout is close, but the top half is way off and very short.

The five points in the upper left corner of the “Horse” map represents the Constellation Cepheus or the King. The number “5” refers to the fifth king and elsewhere on the stones are references to Philip. The meaning is the stones were dedicated to King Philip the Fifth of Spain. The Constellation Cepheus is also a calendar. Cepheus assumes that position in the northern sky during the middle of September. By placing a stylus (cut to a specific shape and length shown on the stones) into the large hole and at a specific time maneuvering the stones until the suns shadow is cast onto a specific spot (the gateway) on the stones which aligns the stones on a true north  south axis. This is not possible with an old Spanish compass. At the time the Spaniards did not know how to allow for magnetic declination. That’s one reason why old Spanish maps are so inaccurate.

Once aligned north  south, the stones become a crude pelorus or alidade. Mexican miners call them “alidada.” Twigs inserted into the other smaller holes align with peaks that are clearly visible from the gateway. That’s the next part of the explanation. The “1847” signifies the first gateway and is clearly marked on the stones. The stones clearly show three gateways. The first gateway has been obscured by the Whitlow Dam flood control construction, but signs are to be found beyond. The “1847”signifies that to the trail of “18” add “4” and “7” The trail is 29 points long  not 18.

The Summer Triangle is also depicted on the stones. Of the three Constellations that make up the Summer Triangle, one  Lyra _ used to be called Vultur or Vulture. Once the stones are canted, the symbols for the three points of the Summer Triangle correspond with Buzzard’s Roost, Miner’s Needle and Picacho Butte.

The name “Pedro” has nothing to do with Pedro Peralta. The parchment/paper map that led to the stones was created long before Pedro Peralta was a gleam in his father’s eye. The name “Pedro” was added at some time because the principle route to reach the Superstitions was the San Pedro River. But prior to being known as the San Pedro, the river was known as the Santa Cruz or Sainted Cross. What is now the Santa Cruz used to be called the Santa Maria River. The name “Pedro” was added to keep people on the right track.

Elsewhere on the stones is a depiction of the Gila River from the Two Buttes east to Kevin, Arizona. The stones conveys to a person how to get from Cananea in Mexico to the Superstitions. The stones also provide a travel time of eight days.

The six zeros on the back of the Heart Stone are very simple. If a person were to place the Heart back into the depression with the zeros facing up the six zeros would align with the “1” next to the dagger. This equates to “1000000” or one million. The number one million only appears once in the Bible  look it up  you will be floored.

Last, but not least  the Heart. The Heart is a place in the eastern Superstitions where two intermittent water flows unite. Over the eons the water has flowed over hard and soft stone. The soft stone has been eroded and from a vantage point above a person can see the water has eroded a Heart shaped depression. The depression is only really visible from above and especially a few weeks after a rain. The minerals left after the water pool has evaporated form a rough white heart shape. If you align the heart in the stones with the real heart  there’s your cant of the stones to find the last half  oh and I guess I let it out of the bag  this is where the map needs to be reversed. You can also cant the stones per the builder’s level shown on the stones.

If you follow the extended trail you will end up in a canyon that is identical to the depiction found on the Ruth-Peralta Map. The Ruth-Peralta Map is the last piece of the puzzle.

Oh, if you get clutched up with the eastern Superstitions and the Dutchman’s clue about the Military Trail  remember there is a southern extension that runs around the southern periphery of the Superstitions. Before this southern Military Trail was firmly established the military and civilian freighters used another route that went through the southern Superstitions. This is possibly the route taken by the “Two Soldiers.” Remember they claimed to have found gold in a canyon just off their route. If you can figure out the route the “Two Soldiers” took you got it made.

Good Luck To Y’all

J. Sieglitz

You are reading the maps wrong . The word cobollo is not horse (caballo). The word bereda is not cliffs (it means road or journey) . coazon is not heart (corazon). Boy is not" I go" (voy). Pedro does not refer to a name but to gold ore itself (pedro is a nickname to hide the fact that gold was found ="piedra de oro" or gold ore). You are also forgetting the obvious Mexican did not measure in feet, miles or degrees they measured in riatas or lenghts of ropes. Since the above spelling would be a common mistake in someone that had very formal schooling in spanish, you are attributing all kinds of knowledge to someone that might have had as little as 5 years formal schooling in Mexico, but was probally self taught .The "E" has nothing to do with the direction east. You did not mention a "w" and cannot see it due to picture size but this would have nothing to do with the direction west ethier. The sentence "El cobollo de Santa Fe " does not by any stretch of any Mexican's imagination means good luck on the trail (vaya con dios shorten to adios or" to god") and it cannot be a Spaniards saying because of the misspelling which points to a Mexican as being the author. If it was the word "caballo" mispelled it means "The horse of the holy faith pastors to the north of the river" or "The horse (belonging to the church)of the holy faith pastor to the north of the river" (Both the Indians and Mexicans disliked the Spaniards including the padres- which would enslave them to mine the ore). You are correct in saying the 1847 does not refer to a date but simply because you have it wrong its 147 the eight is actually 2 of the symbols which indicates tunnels (1 0f 47 tunnels?). The indicates missions.

On the witch's map The parts I can read look like they are saying " From the Mission altar steps take the tunnel to the tomb or grave or shrine? then take the tunnel to the heart(mine?). The superstitions (Apache badlands)are to far south to be part of Sonora mexico (this might have extended to tucson) The map you are looking at refers to an area around Tumacacori or Tubac Arizona more then likely . The whole area in these days was refered to by the Spaniards as Upper or Lower Pimeria alta in honor of the Pima indians. There is no way in this world for anyone (Prof. Dana) to authenticate that the carvings on the stones (stones cannot be carbon dated and nethier can the carvings so what did he\ she base this on?) are over one hundred years old. Nothing in these stones refer to the Superstitions Mountians or the Peraltas or the spaniards the word Don is not a word denoting nobility in Mexico but a title of respect it can be used simply to signify respect to a older person Don Carlos or Dona refers to an older female Dona Theresa. The maps are more then likely forgeries or point to an area in the vicinity of the Santa Cruz river

Unsigned

I wanted to give the meaning to these stones. What they lead to is the alms received in Santa Fe for a long period of time. When the Jesuits were removed they attempted to transport the people's donations back to Spain. They followed the salt river and were attacked by Indians. They left the treasure near the river. It was there for some time then other Spaniards or trusted families returned and moved these church donations to a secret hiding place. This place was near mining areas and water.

When the Apaches started to attack on regular basis the miners moved to higher ground. They moved these alms to a location on the way out. They carved these stones because they were unable to take it because of Indian attack. The time line is 1500's, FIRST EXPLORATION 1600's JESUITS FORCED OUT 1700's TREASURE MOVED FROM RIVER TO SECRET HIDING PLACE1800's TREASURE MOVED TO PLACE ON THE WAY OUT.

This treasure listed as 200,000 coin, 40 bars gold 2 lbs each, 1 cross 900 lbs gold. The treasure is probably still there seeing the heart was carved to take as a key. The carvers all got killed in the 1800's. Their resting place is the massacre grounds near apache junction. The Spaniards would normally leave towards the south after some time in years. But they left towards the west because it was quicker to the desert when under attack. The Indians knew this and set an ambush, obviously they were successful.

Martin

Dear Gentleman,

While hiking up a canyon (for reasons the name will not be disclosed) in the Superstion Mtn. range , my friend and I came across a stone map carved into the rock canyon wall. It contained the following numbers and symbols. 2=3-O-18=7, a carved Eagal head, and an Arrow pointer Above the numbers was the bottom of the stone map.

Later on that evening it was disclosed to us thru an old Search & Rescue member for Pinal County that we were close to something of major importance. We were also followed that day by more than one preson.No shoe prints except our own did we see while hiking in and out.

It was about 4:30pm when we decided to head out .We were approx.3-4miles in and it was November so day light was disappering fast.(we ended up getting out with 2 "AA" flashlights one almost dead around 8-8:30pm)

Upon heading out my one friend noticed the 2=3-O-18=7 ,then the whole map . My other friend and I turned around to see what he was yelling about.It was hard to make out at first , then he pointed it out and then was as clear as day. About 30m or so we then noticed the Eagal head carving,close by was the bent Arrow pointer ,pointing to a crack 3-4ft. wide across the wash on the otherside.We all questioned each other to make sure we saw the same things.

Since then we have made more finds, we are also going back in to get photo evidence of map.Pictures of wall carveing speak louder than words on paper. This e-mail is no joke!! My friends and I are too Lost Dutchmen hunters. One friend( a native Siox Indian)has been reacherching for over 15+years myself for about 4years.

Til then Good luck and Hppy hunting .One thing to remember is DO NOT GET GREEDY IF YOU FIND SOMETHING, THERE IS PLENTY TO MAKE ALOT OF PEOPLE COMFORTABLE.THIS MOUNTAIN IS SACRED PLACE.

I came across your site by accident when searching for possible old used treasure magazines. My father who recently died had left a large collection of them and I was looking for someone who collected or was interested in buying them. Back in the 1950's and 60's my dad did a lot of treasure hunting and the Lost Dutchman was one of his passions. In the mid 50's I was a teenager and accompanied dad on a trip out west and one of our stops was the Superstitions.

We hiked in and met a character named Chuck Aylor camped in East Boulder Canyon just below Blacktop Mesa. He too was a Dutchman fanatic but definitely was far more familiar with certain facts, maps and events concerning the lost mine than dad. I remember that we left extra supplies, including food and dynamite when we were leaving. Chuck remarked "You're always outfitting me; I guess if I ever find it (the Dutchman) I'll owe you"; as dad had in previous trips left unused supplies more than once. Well the family all moved out to Scottsdale in 1963 from Long Island and dad and I made another trip and discovered that the Rangers had dismantled the E. Boulder camp that Chuck had and that he was now located in a new camp in LaBarge Canyon below Battleship mountain.

On a subsequent trip from Canyon Lake we once again met up with the "old dessert rat" as dad would refer to him. In the following years I was an undergraduate at ASU and would frequently go hiking into the Superstitions for 2-7 days at a time often accepting the hospitality of Chuck at his LaBarge camp. My dad always warned me to be wary and confided that Chuck had been a suspect in some of the earlier murders in these mountains. He told me that I should notice his feet. Chuck had very small feet, size 7 or so and evidently very small footprints were found in the vicinity of a few of the victims. Well one night Dave, a frequent hiking companion and I had just finished a rough trip over Malipais mountain from Peters canyon and had rappelled down a cliff into LaBarge canyon somewhat above the Labarge Box.

We decided to stay with Chuck and he treated us to a great meal. Afterwards he became more than a little drunk and chided us on how dumb we were for going over the Dutchman and not recognizing the signs! We laughed and asked how would he know? He then proceeded to remove the contents of a cardboard tube and displayed a number of maps, some quite old and yellowed. We were surprised and then I remembered my dad's warnings about Chuck. Couldn't get much sleep that night. Any way,

I saw Chuck only once after that and later I heard that he was back in Apache Junction evidently with his wife and in bad health. This was in the mid 1960's. I have never heard Chucks name in any Lost Dutchman story but I know that his name is immortalized on the quadrangle map containing East Boulder canyon as " Aylor's Cabaillo Camp" right at the site that dad and I had first visited him in the mid 50's. I would be interested in any references on Chuck that you or your readers may have come across. I always wondered what happened to those maps!

Thanks, Paul F.

People have searched for the L.D.M. from four peaks to Florence, and theyhave danced around and around Weavers Needle, all with out a clue. I think in reality they are like the homeless who stand holding a card saying" will work for food" while standing next to a sign saying " help wanted".. Its the life style they enjoy. There was never a place to look until the stone maps were discovered. the important thing then became the discovery site. You are standing here looking down at these maps you found, you know your location is shown on the maps, all you need to do now is " follow the yellow brick road".

Unsigned

"I read with intrest the artical on the Lost Duchman mine and would like to relate a story told to me in the mid 70's by a co-worker named Ed Flag who was old then, an has since died. Basicly, his father was the State Mine Inspector during the time Jacob W. was alive and was shown ore from the "Lost Dutchman." In his fathers opinion, the ore looked like it was hi-graded from the Vulture Mine."

Bill

My name is Hershell B. Weiser and as the great great great nephew of Jacob E. Weiser (Wiser), Jacob Waltz's partner in prospecting and working the Peralta Mine (a.k.a. "The Lost Dutchman Mine"), I am in possession of certain facts of which very few are aware.
When Jacob Weiser and Jacob Waltz initially located the Peralta
Mine, my great great great uncle wrote to his sister--residing in
Germany--and invested her with specific information on how to
read and interpret the symbols depicted on the "Peralta Stones".
Both Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser were European trained mining
Surveyors and Prospectors. Any Mining Surveyor trained in
Western Europe (e.g., Spain, France, and Germany) from the 1840's
through 1880's would instantly recognize the symbols depicted on
the "Peralta Stones."

The Journal that Jacob Weiser sent to his sister is a detailed
explanation of the symbols "carved" into stone, in the form of a
Journal, by members of the Peralta Family. Jacob Waltz and Jacob
Weiser had a third partner, Carlos Peralta, who was killed by
Apaches in 1874. To protect the location of the Peralta Mine
(a.k.a. "The Lost Dutchman Mine"), the Peralta's used early
European mining symbols--slightly altered--to quickly locate the
mine's entrance. In 1848, when the Peralta's were ambushed by
Apaches, Carlos Peralta (a younger cousin) and his brother
escaped into Mexico.

When Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser arrived in North America from
Spain (although both were natives of Germany), they met Carlos
Peralta who told them about his family's mine and the "map" carved into stones located at or near the base of the
Superstition Mountains. He accompanied them to the area twice,
but on the last trip was killed by an Apache War Party.

Although greatly faded and falling apart, I possess Jacob
Weiser's Journal. The "key" to the mine's entrance is NOT the "path" depicted on the Peralta Stones. The "key" is Weaver's
Needle. The entrance to the mine is NOT at Weaver's Needle or on
Superstition Mountain, but to more accurately interpret the
journal's directions, I would need a "wide angle" and "telephoto" picture from atop Weaver's Needle looking towards Superstition
Mountain and away from Superstition Mountain.

While some of the stories regarding the Peralta Mine (a.k.a. The
Lost Dutchman Mine") reflect that the moonlight through Weaver's
Needle point to the entrance of the mine, Jacob Weiser's Journal
tells a different story. While the State of Arizona protected
the area of Weaver's Needle and Superstition Mountain by making
it a State Park, it appears that the mine may be located outside
of this area.
Although a successful businessman, inheriting roughly $7.2
million (American) from the gold sent by Jacob Weiser to his
sister in Germany, I am not a prospector and I'm not interested
in searching for the Peralta Mine (a.k.a. "The Lost Dutchman
Mine") or working the mine for its gold. I'm more interested in
proving the legend.

Dear Desert USA,

Here is a new twist on the Peralta or Dutchman's mine story/theory.

Consider this spin on the Dutchman mine story. It is a known fact the Jesuit stashed much gold and church artifacts someplace to the north and possibly right here in the Arizona Superstition Mts. The Jesuit legers of that which was stashed contain mention of amounts of raw gold ore. The raw ore that the Dutchman possessed and claimed to be from a hidden mine was very different from any gold ore which was known to be mined here in the state. What if the Dutchman had stumbled upon the secret hiding place of the main Jesuit stash rumored to have gone north into the Superstition Mts and the Hewitt canyon area?

Yes, yes, I know it is a wild crazy thought....or is it? There are Jesuit markings up there in the canyons that Waltz roamed. Though remote the
possibility is worth consideration and actually fits the story peculiarly well. It would explain the odd coloration of the Dutchman's ore because the Jesuit ore did not come from this area at all!. Now Jacob Waltz, being a man who knew ore, would have gone for that part of the treasure cache and understandably shied away from things like gold plates, goblets, candelabras or gem inlaid crucifix's. Waltz being of shrewd mind would surely have known he could never posses much less attempt to sell such items for fear of drawing a great deal of attention to himself. Sure as the desert heat comes in summer, cry's of theft from the church would soon follow. Waltz would never have wanted to raise such a stir much less face suspicious questions and stares of accusation about how he came to posses such precious church items! Thus he only took the raw ore and his story of how he got it would be easy to explain and cause no such stir.Waltz never told of the rest of the treasure cache for fear of the obvious and or of being considered a nut case gone mad from the desert heat!

Just a bit different angle to consider and mottle the minds of those of us who enjoy the tale and still wonder about it all!